The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-01-13
THE LAST TATTOO ! ,

There's gloomy shadow floating far across the west
sky,
There's mighty wave of sorrow, with its terrors
rushing by:
Far above the fond hearts yearnng pours the crush
ing tide of woe,
And the wealth of mortal hopes buried in its
ceaseless flow;
Heart cries unto heart sorrow-while the sound of
tolling bell
Tells to earth the startling moment when mighty
cheftain fell;
Harki The shadows thickly gather, yet hear it
struggling through
The sad heart-crushing music of the Soldiers Last
Tattoo
To the Eastward looks the Nation-"Can that wasted,
Be the death-defyng hero who outrode the battles
storm?"
As the all in his splendor fades before approach
ing night
AS the eagles mighty pinion rests at last from wea-
ried flight.
Each to rise, with break of morning, again to
speed away
So our fallen chietan lays aside the fearth
day;
There beside the silent casket stands youth in mar
tial blue.
Pouring forth the saddened music of the Soldiers
Last Tattoo.
Lowy lies the heart fire. silent hangs the shining
steel
Never more their rushing forces will the battle
smoke reveal
column speed
4To the charge of fearless foemen, where but Logan
dares to lead;
Long the and the bayonet have hung in battered
sheath,
While the helmet has been laid aside, to wear the
laurel wreath;
Lies he down, with glory shrouded this brave knight
ofpurpose true
Softly, by his silent sepuchre, rnes ont the Last
Tattoo.
Load the guns and the voley sadly roll the muf
fed drum!
Let soldiers. grief pay tribute to chieftain,
pulseless, dumb;
What to him mortal praises-earnest prayer,
What eulogistic tributes, wrought in language
rich and strong?
Tongue of man is stammering weakness-far above
Shines the emblem of his glory, with its glitter pure
and bright;
Hark. Far through the winter breezes ye may hear
the sound
Tis the trumpet softly whispering the Soldierr Last
Tattoo.
Fame is but useless bubble the heaving of
Time,
Yet true worth will glimmer through it with splen-
dor all sublime;
From the turmoil of the Universe the hero's life ap
pears
Like star of wondrous beauty shining through The
passing years,
Like guide mortal footsteps, marking, with its
rays oflight,
Where the path of Inspiration cheers the toier for
the right;
We may say, with heightened pleasure-such the life
of him knew;
And who in death reposes where resounds the
Last Tattoo.
We may carve the polished marble and fmplant the
tender fow'rs,
how feeble earths tribute this fallen friend
of ours,
Even now, above the chapel moves the mighty hand
See! 1t traces with living fire. the gallant Logans
High up gorys tablet, with its record strong and
clear,
Shines the title of our fallen one'The foremost VOL
unteer."
We love to read that record the arch of spotess
blue,
While plaintvely pours forth once more the Soldiers
Last Tattoo
They marching at quickened pace earth's SOL
diers, strong and brave,
A long and gallant column swiftly filing toward the
grave;
Ye may see along the thinning ranks Truths banner
borne on high,
And learn the strength of Freedoms will from men
who dare to die;
SOFTLY swellfns Deaths river may hear the 're
veille,''
From the camp upon the other shore-the bvouac of
the free
On this side the shadows gather-sweet tits
floating through
The sad inspiring music of the Soldiers Last Tattoo